Musikmesse 08: Boss pedal adds chop to your grooves

New Slicer and Delay pedals from FX kings

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Boss's new Slicer pedal on display at the Frankfurt Musikmesse

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The Boss DD7

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Boss SL-20 Slicer

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Boss DD-7 Digital Delay

Boss will expand its range of innovative twin-pedals in summer 2008 with the launch of the SL-20 Slicer. The impressive looking pedal isn’t just for guitarists either – it can transform a guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals or turntables into a pulsating instrument capable of percussive ‘chopped’ grooves.

You get 50 preset Slicer patterns onboard, Tap-tempo control, plus the chance to experiment with features like Loop Record, 3D Panning and a Harmonic Slicer which can generate percussive melodies.

Attack, duration, effect level, and direct level are all controlled by the onboard knobs or from an external expression pedal, or you can sync it to an external MIDI clock. Indeed, the SL-20’s versatility makes it look like a cool songwriting and recording tool. DJs and dance artists should find it useful as a rhythmic-performance tool, too.

The SL-20 is available from June 2008 at a price of £175. US$ and € prices tbc.

Boss has also given its DD Delay an overhaul. The DD-7 now has 6.4 seconds of delay time, and the new Hold mode allows up to 40 seconds of input to be recorded for creating atmospheric ‘sound-on-sound’ performances.

There are two new delay modes. Modulation Delay provides chorus-flavoured sounds, while Analogue Delay is a simulation of the early-‘80s Boss DM-2. Original DM-2s can sell for up to $350 secondhand, so that emulation alone makes the DD-7 look like good value. Here’s a blog on the original Boss DM-2.